Bookmarks and Watchpoints for Selection and Presentation of Media Streams

ABSTRACT

Selection and presentation of media streams, in which presentation is not limited by order imposed by the digital content representative of those media streams, in response to bookmarks and watchpoints settable and usable by a user. Bookmarks reference a location within the media stream, not necessarily pre-selected and possibly dynamically selected, in which a presentation can be started or restarted therefrom. Watchpoints reference a location within the media stream, or a presentation state for the media stream, in which an action can be triggered thereby. Bookmarks and watchpoints provide a general technique for presenting selections from media streams in response to metadata.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to selection and presentation of media streams; in aspects thereof, the invention relates to bookmarks and watchpoints, and to event handling, for selection and display of videos from media, such as for example DVD and other related media.

2. Related Art

In systems for presenting information, such as for example information relating to audiovisual media, users are able to present information already recorded on digital media. For example, DVD player systems provide users with the ability to playback digital content pre-recorded on DVD media. In the incorporated disclosure (as described below) such systems provide users with the ability to present (that is, display video elements of and play audio elements of) media streams, either after or concurrently with download of digital content representing those media streams. In the incorporated disclosure (as described below) such systems further provide the capability of downloading that digital content from one or more content servers.

A first problem with known DVD media playback is that the process of playback involves interaction between the user and a pre-selected sequence of playback capabilities, recorded onto the DVD media by someone other than the user (such as a creator or distributor of that DVD media). For example, playback might involve navigation of a selection menu, might involve playback of audiovisual messages the creator or distributor has determined are advantageous for the user to be forced to watch (such as for example an anti-piracy warning, or such as for example one or more advertisements or pre-release announcements). Accordingly, it would at some times be advantageous to avoid being restricted by choices imposed on them by the creator or distributor of the DVD media.

A second problem with known playback techniques is that the user might have a substantial library of media streams from which the user might desire to present. For a first example, the user might wish to present short clips (or “trailers”) of individual movies as part of a process of selection or review of those individual movies. For example, the user might wish to present a trailer for an individual movie as part of deciding whether to purchase that movie (including for example on-line purchase of a downloaded copy) or to present that movie to a selected audience (including for example determining if that audience was interested in the movie in response to the selected trailer). For a second example, the user might wish to point to selections from media streams when analyzing, commenting on, reviewing, or selecting portions thereof. A first example thereof might be a biography of a known actor or director, including selections of short clips of scenes used for illustrative, scholarly, literary, artistic, political, or social purposes. A second example thereof might be that the user wishes to present a short clip, such as a favorite scene, for presentation to a selected audience (including for example just the user themselves), or as part of a pedagogical exercise (including for example as a demonstration of acting technique or camera work).

Both these problems are exacerbated by increases in the number of DVD media providers (whether creators or distributors), and by increases in the number of media streams available to the user. Moreover, both these problems might inhibit development of a convenient UI (user interface) for selection and presentation of media streams, whether from recorded physical media or downloaded from one or more content servers.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an improved technique for video selection and presentation, relatively less subject to problems with known techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and system capable of selection and presentation of media streams, in which presentation is not substantially limited by any order imposed by the digital content representative of those media streams.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable of creating and referencing a bookmark to a location selected within the media stream, not necessarily pre-selected by the creator or distributor of that media stream, and possibly dynamically selected by a recipient of digital content representing that media stream. In addition to referencing the bookmark, the invention provides a user with the capability of starting or restarting presentation from the selected bookmark.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable of creating a watchpoint at a location selected within the media stream, or a presentation state otherwise associated with presentation of the media stream, capable of associating with that watchpoint one or more watchpoint triggers (indicating on what conditions the watchpoint is triggered) and one or more watchpoint actions (indicating what actions are taken in response to triggering the watchpoint). For one example, the user might designate a bookmark at the beginning of a selected film clip, a watchpoint trigger with the end of that same film clip, and a watchpoint action associated with the watchpoint, which watchpoint action directs a presentation device to return to a presentation state it was at before presenting from the bookmark. In this example, the film clip effectively acts as a media element capable of being inserted into another, different, media stream (or more generally, into any other user interface or media presentation, the original user interface or media presentation not necessarily including any original media streams of its own), without involving any other digital content associated with the larger media stream that contains that film clip.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable of selecting one of a set of such film clips (bookmark-watchpoint pairs) for presentation, in response to a user input, a user preference, a playback device configuration, demographic information about the user or the playback device, or other pertinent information. For a first example, a one or more DVD's might have a first version of its movie better suited for presentation on a regular television screen, and a second version of its movie better suited for presentation on a widescreen or HDTV television screen (currently, the movie “Shrek” is sometimes marketed with two separate DVD's, one of which includes a widescreen version and one of which includes a narrowscreen version). For a second example, one or more DVD's might have a first version of its movie better suited for presentation to a mature audience, and a second version of its movie better suited for presentation to a less-mature audience. For a third example, a single DVD might have a set of versions of its movie with selected different plot points or movie endings, for those different audiences or users who prefer the movie to have a happy ending or otherwise. For a fourth example, a single DVD might have a shorter (abridged) and a longer (unabridged) version of the same movie, selectable by the user. In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable of selecting one of a set of such film skips (watchpoint-bookmark pairs), with the effect that a section of a media stream might be skipped, censored, or otherwise edited out, in response to a user input, a user preference, a playback device configuration, demographic information about the user or the playback device, or other pertinent information.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable of testing one or more state variables at such bookmarks or watchpoints, and of taking different actions in response to distinct values of those state variables. In one embodiment, the invention provides a user with the capability of designing a sequence of actions (conditional or unconditional), by which selections from media streams might be presented in response to digital content representing those media streams and in response to other information. Such other information might include the scope of a license afforded to the user, demographic or other metadata about that user, or interactive activity with that user (or more than one such user). Such a sequence of actions might be recorded, retrieved, transmitted, or received, similar to digital content representing any other type of media stream.

In one embodiment, the invention might include bookmarks created or edited using one or more techniques or by one or more types of creators. For a first example, bookmarks might be created in conjunction with the original content, such as for example by an author, creator, distributor, or synchronizer, of the original content. For a second example, bookmarks might be created by a party other than in conjunction with the original content, such as for example by a secondary distributor of the content, a server providing the content to an end-user along with newly-associated metadata, a translator of the original content, such as a person adding subtitles in a second or an alternative language or “dubbing” in sound in a second or an alternative, or such as an editor of the movie for a specific purpose, such as for example a purpose suitable for airliner use, for children, or for export to selected countries. For a third example, bookmarks might be created by end-user preferences, either explicit or implicit or some combination or conjunction thereof, such as for example in response to the end-user designating a favorite scene, or such as for example in response to the end-user skipping over a disfavored scene, or such as for example in response to preferences implied by demographic information about the end-user. Similar to bookmarks, the invention might also include watchpoints created using one or more techniques or by one or more types of creators, as described above with regard to creation or editing of bookmarks.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that the invention is an enabling technology by which substantial advance is made in the art of media streams and digital content representative thereof. For example, the invention might be used to provide one or more of, or some combination or extension or mixture of, any of the following:

-   -   Saving selected scenes from movies and requesting playback of         those scenes, either in response to user command, pointers to         those scenes, or metadata describing those scenes.     -   Pausing movies during presentation on a first device and         requesting playback on a second device, such as for example in         response to user command.     -   Assembling a collection of such selected scenes, possibly along         with commentary, or possibly embedded in another media stream         for which those selected scenes are exemplary or illustrative.     -   Assembling a collection of bookmarks or watchpoints, possibly         along with commentary; maintaining that collection in a database         or other metadata; or sending that collection from one device to         another.     -   Creating and presenting a demonstration of a home video system,         including demonstration of selection and presentation of media         streams as part of the demonstration. In one embodiment, the         demonstration itself might be interactive, and include the         capability for the user to select which media streams are         selected or presented as part of the demonstration itself.     -   Creating and presenting a media stream by which a pseudorandom         or random process determines presentation of such selected         scenes, possibly in response to other information. In one         embodiment, the pseudorandom or random process might select film         clips in response to known preferences of the user, thus         providing the capability of a film clip “screen saver” or a         variant of the MTV channel.     -   Pausing, restarting, and repeating presentation of media         streams, even for media for which such functions are not         originally supported.     -   Direct access to feature presentations within recorded digital         media, without any substantial requirement for navigating via         pre-recorded menus or pre-recorded advertising, announcements,         or warnings.     -   Direct access to supplements to such feature presentations, or         trailers associated with such feature presentations, within         recorded digital media, without any substantial requirement for         navigating via pre-recorded menus or pre-recorded advertising,         announcements, or warnings.     -   Presentation of media streams represented by digital content         recorded on multiple volumes of digital media, such as for         example movies recorded on more than one DVD, without any         substantial requirement for the user to intervene at a switching         point between those multiple volumes.     -   Performing operations external to presentation in response to         the media stream, such as for example turning up room lights at         the start of movie credits, diminishing sound volume during         commercial breaks, or pausing presentation in response to         aspects of the movie (such as for example at a commercial break         in a broadcast movie).     -   Creating and presenting a computer game using individual film         clips, either from pre-existing DVD media or newly-created         digital content. For example, the computer game might be         interactive, or might respond to external information, such as         for example a television news feed.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a representation of a presentation state and a virtual machine state, each of which is updated concurrently with presentation of the media stream.

A bookmark preferably includes a defined presentation state and virtual machine state to which a presenting device might be set, with the effect of providing that presenting device with the capability of presentation beginning at that bookmark. In one embodiment, presentation might instead begin at a closest “entry location” designated by the digital content representing that media stream. In one embodiment, the defined presentation state or virtual machine state might include a known “title number” within DVD media on which is recorded the digital content representing that media stream.

A watchpoint preferably includes a defined presentation state and virtual machine state, along with one or more associated triggerable actions, with the effect that whenever the presenting device attempts to match its presentation state and virtual machine state with that watchpoint, a first sufficient degree of similarity with the triggering condition (possibly for a first subset of data associated with each such state) would cause the watchpoint to be triggered, and a second sufficient degree of similarity with a conditional choice of action (possibly for a second subset of data associated with each such state) would cause the associated actions would be performed. For example, the presenting device might attempt to match its presentation state and virtual machine state with selected watchpoints after each known frame of the media stream, or at the beginning or end of each subsegment of the media stream designated by the digital content representing that media stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection and presentation.

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method including operation of a system including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection and presentation.

INCORPORATED DISCLOSURE

This application claims priority of the following documents, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

-   U.S. provisional patent application 60/439,330, filed Jan. 9, 2003,     in the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret NOVOTNY,     Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O'NEIL, attorney docket     number 217.1014.01, titled “User Interface for Video Selection and     Display”. -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,949, filed Apr. 18, 2003, in     the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret NOVOTNY,     Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O′NEIL, attorney docket     number 217.1017.01, titled “Guide-Like User Interface for Video     Selection and Display”. -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,739, filed Apr. 18, 2003, in     the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret NOVOTNY,     Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O′NEIL, attorney docket     number 217.1018.01, titled “Mosaic-Like User Interface for Video     Selection and Display”. -   U.S. provisional patent application 60/488,367, filed Jul. 15, 2003,     in the name of Paul RECHSTEINER, Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT,     Daniel COLLENS, Robert ZARNKE, Nik GERVAE, Ray DEPAUL, Richard     CZEGLEDI, and Kevin HUI, attorney docket number 217.1019.01, titled     “Bookmarks and Watchpoints for Selection and Presentation of Media     Streams”.

These documents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, and are sometimes referred to herein as the “incorporated disclosure”.

Inventions described herein can be used in combination or conjunction with technology described in the incorporated disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description herein, a preferred embodiment of the invention is dew scribed, including preferred process steps and data structures. Those skilled in the art would realize, after perusal of this application, that embodiments of the invention might be implemented using a variety of other techniques not specifically described, without undue experimentation or further invention, and that such other techniques would be within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Lexicography

The general meaning of each of these following terms is intended to be illustrative and in no way limiting.

-   -   The phrase “media stream” describes information intended for         presentation in a sequence, such as motion pictures including a         sequence of frames or fields, or such as audio including a         sequence of sounds. As used herein, the phrase “media stream”         has a broader meaning than the standard meaning for “streaming         media,” (of sound and pictures that are transmitted continuously         using packets and that start to play before all of the content         arrives). Rather, as described herein, there is no particular         requirement that “media streams” must be delivered continuously.         Also as described herein, media streams can refer to other         information for presentation, such as for example animation or         sound, as well as to still media, such as for example pictures         or illustrations, and also to databases and other collections of         information.     -   The phrase “digital content” describes data in a digital format,         intended to represent media streams or other information for         presentation to an end viewer. “Digital content” is         distinguished from packaging information, such as for example         message header information. For the two phrases “digital         content” and “media stream,” the former describes a selected         encoding of the latter, while the latter describes a result of         presenting any encoding thereof.     -   The phrase “DVD media content format,” and the like, describes a         family of encoding formats including DVD-audio and DVD-video         (such as for example used with media including digital video         disks or equivalents thereof). DVD media content format is a         specific example of one of many possible formats in which         digital content might be encoded.     -   The phrase “digital media,” and the like, describes physical         media capable of maintaining digital content in an accessible         form. Digital media includes disk drives (including magnetic,         optical, or magneto-optical disk drives), as well as any other         physical media capable of maintaining information, such as         digital content.     -   The terms “playback,” “presentation,” and the like, describe         presentation (such as for example to one or more users) of         audio, visual, or other features of media streams.     -   The phrase “content server” describes a device (or a portion         thereof, or a set of such devices or portions thereof) capable         of sending digital content to recipients. For example, a content         server might include a web server at which a user is provided         the capability of purchasing digital media for download. In the         context of this application, there is no particular requirement         that the server be (logically or physically) located at any         particular address or place, or have any particular         architecture, or use any particular protocol for communication.         For example, the content server might include a process         logically available to a local presentation device.     -   The term “bookmark” describes a reference to a logical location         selected within a media stream. In one embodiment, bookmarks are         not necessarily pre-selected by the creator or distributor of         that media stream, and are possibly dynamically selected by a         recipient of digital content representing that media stream. In         one embodiment, presentation devices are capable of starting or         restarting presentation from a selected bookmark.     -   The term “watchpoint” describes an association of at least one         watchpoint trigger and at least one watchpoint action. This has         the effect that a watchpoint is capable of being treated as an         “IF-THEN” construct, where the watchpoint trigger is the “IF”         part of the construct and the watchpoint action is the “THEN”         part of the construct. Those one or more watchpoint actions         might be conditioned on some other data or state information.         For one example, the user might designate a bookmark at the         beginning of a selected film clip, and a watchpoint         including (1) a watchpoint trigger associated with the end of         that same film clip, and (2) a watchpoint action directing a         presentation device to return to a presentation state it was at         before presenting from the bookmark. In this example, the film         clip effectively acts as a media element capable of being         inserted into another, different, media stream, without         involving any other digital content associated with the larger         media stream that contains that film clip.     -   The phrase “watchpoint action” describes an action to be         performed in response to triggering a watchpoint (when the         conditions of the watchpoint trigger occur). Watchpoint actions         might be conditioned on some other data or state information.     -   The phrase “watchpoint trigger” describes a reference to a         logical state of a presentation device, such as for example a         logical location selected within a media stream. When that         logical state (or any other condition used as a watchpoint         trigger) occurs, the watchpoint is triggered and the watchpoint         action part of the watchpoint is performed.

The scope and spirit of the invention is not limited to any of these definitions, or to specific examples mentioned therein, but is intended to include the most general concepts embodied by these and other terms.

System Elements

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection and presentation.

A system 100, such as for example an end-user system, includes a library 110 or other storage including digital content 111 representing a media stream, such as for example in a DVD media content format, a presentation device 120, and a presentation controller 130.

In one embodiment, the library 110 might include one or more of: a DVD reader; a disk drive (whether magnetic, optical, magneto-optical, or otherwise); a “jukebox” or other collection of multiple readers for physical media such as DVD's or disk drives; a communication link to a web server, file server, database server, or other server; a broadcast receiver such as a cable modem or satellite link, or any other device or technique having the capability of delivering digital content to the presentation device 120.

In one embodiment, the presentation controller 130 might include a portion, or be included in a portion, of a PVL (personal video library) associated with the system 100. The library 110 might also include a portion, or be included in a portion, of a PVL (personal video library) associated with the system 100. However, after reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that in the context of the invention, no such limitation is required. One such embodiment is further described in the incorporated disclosure.

The presentation controller 130 is, in one embodiment, coupled to at least one input device 131, suitable for receiving commands or other information from a user 132 associated with the presentation device 120, and at least one output device, which in one embodiment includes a portion of, or is included in a portion of, the presentation device 120 itself. The presentation controller 130 includes a processor, program and data memory, and is capable of receiving those commands or other information, and responding thereto as described herein, with the effect that the user 132 is capable of interacting with the presentation controller 130 as described herein.

There is no particular requirement, in the context of the invention, either (a) that the presentation controller 130 involves an input device 131, or (b) that the presentation controller 130 receives commands or other information from a user 132. In alternative embodiments, the presentation controller 130 may act in response to a pre-selected set of programming instructions, or in response to a set of sensors not generally considered an input device 131, such as for example a timed program show or a program show responsive to the presence of people to watch it. In alternative embodiments, the presentation controller 130 may act in response to commands or other information from an operator other than a user 132, such as for example a stage director or performer, or a remote teacher engaged in televised instruction.

For just one example of such alternative embodiments, the system 100 may be devised to make presentations of shows at a demonstration device, a sales kiosk, or a trade show. In such alternative embodiments, the presentation controller 130 might be responsive to a timer to present a continuous loop of the same media stream (or a pseudorandomly or randomly selected sequence of different media streams), or might be responsive to the absence or presence of heat (using an IR sensor), light, or sound to determine the absence or presence of a viewing audience of sufficient size, and in response thereto, might be responsive to the audience and its size to present an automatically selected sequence of media streams.

As described above, the library 110 includes (or includes access to) digital content 111 representing a media stream, such as for example in a DVD media content format. Typically, the user 132 interacts with a user interface at a selected presentation device 120, with the effect that the user 132 might choose for presentation an episode or show that forms at least a portion of the digital content 111. The presentation device 120 interacts with the library 110 to obtain the portion of the digital content 111 representing the media stream for that episode or show. The library 110 sends that portion of the digital content 111 to the presentation device 120, with the effect that the presentation device 120 presents the media stream represented by that portion of the digital content 111 to the user 132.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that specifications for aspects of DVD devices and methods, including DVD-audio, DVD-video, and related specifications, actually support a more interactive method of behavior. However, but that any such interactive behavior involves pre-programming that interactive behavior into the digital content 111 before the library 110 (or other storage or communication) receives that digital content 111. There is no substantial provision for the user 132 to create a new interactive behavior, or to use a new interactive behavior created after that digital content 111 was originally created.

The digital content 111 in a DVD media content format includes a sequence of instructions, each either (a) directing a virtual machine state change, or (b) directing presentation of at least a portion of a media stream. In one embodiment, the virtual machine state includes a plurality of registers, at least some of which are read-only and describe the presentation device 120 configuration, while at least some (others) are more general in purpose, such as for example a register storing whether a certain portion of the DVD had already been viewed. In such an embodiment, the virtual machine instructions either (a) alter, update, or otherwise modify virtual machine registers, or (b) direct presentation of at least a next portion of a media stream.

The presentation device 120 also includes a presentation state, distinct from the virtual machine state, which describes at least some internal state of the presentation device 120 as it parses and presents the portion of the media stream represented by the digital content 111. As the digital content 111 is read, parsed, and converted to a format with which the presentation device 120 might present the portion of the media stream, the presentation state of the presentation device 120 changes, without necessarily changing the virtual machine state of the presentation device 120.

The phrase “media stream state” generally describes a complete state, including both the virtual machine state and the presentation state, of the presentation device 120.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that the virtual machine state can be responsive to the presentation state (although in one embodiment the virtual machine state is unchanged by changes in the presentation state), and that the presentation state can be responsive to the virtual machine state (although in one embodiment the presentation state is responsive to the digital content 111).

Watchpoints, including their watchpoint triggers and watchpoint actions, might be conditioned on other state information or input, with the effect that both the virtual machine state and the presentation state might be made responsive to any conditions or data those watchpoint triggers or watchpoint actions are able to test. For one example, not intended to be limiting in any way, conditional watchpoint triggers or watchpoint actions might be responsive to information of the following types:

-   -   hardware or software information relating to the construction,         make, model, origin, point of sale, amount of memory, processor         speed, or other information regarding how the presentation         device 120 is constructed;     -   demographic information relating to the nature of the user 132,         including the user's age, home location, income, VALS         evaluation, preferences, or other information regarding uses         made by the user 132 of the presentation device 120, including         for example a current GPS location of the presentation device         120 or of the user 132;     -   dynamic information relating to external events, including for         example the presence or absence of other persons near the         presentation device 120 (and if those persons are known as other         users 132, demographic information relating to their nature, or         alternatively, a number of such persons), and including for         example the operation of other equipment in the same room,         suite, apartment, or building in which the presentation device         120 is located (such as for example, whether a door is opened or         closed, whether a telephone rings, whether lights are turned on,         a temperature inside or outside, a time of day, a day of the         week, a week of the year, whether or not the selected day is or         precedes a school holiday, and the like).         or     -   dynamic information relating to external data, including for         example data regarding news announcements, public events, stock         tickers, weather, and the like (any or all of which might be         filtered or searched in response to keywords, with the effect         that the user 132 is capable of causing the presentation device         120 to respond to new announcements involving selected         celebrities or types of event, sports events or weather         involving a selected city or region, stock tickers regarding         selected companies or industries, and the like);

Method of Operation

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method including operation of a system including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection and presentation.

A method 200 includes a set of flow points and steps. Although described serially, these flow points and steps of the method 200 can be performed by separate elements in conjunction or in parallel, whether asynchronously or synchronously, in a pipelined manner, or otherwise. There is no particular requirement that the flow points or steps must be performed in the same order as described, except where explicitly so indicated.

Creating Bookmarks

At a flow point 210A, the method 200 is ready to create a bookmark.

At a step 211, the method 200 receives information (such as from an end-user or an operator) specifying the location of the bookmark, and any related information. In one embodiment, that related information might include (a) information relating to the configuration of the presentation device(s) at which presentation from the bookmark is to be specified, (b) information relating to licensing information relating to the media stream of which the bookmark is a part, or (c) other metadata relating to the bookmark, such as for example a title for the bookmark, one or more representative graphics, such as for example thumbnail pictures, associated with the bookmark, a set of configuration information regarding how that thumbnail picture would be presented (or presented in a selected context), or a set of key words associated with the bookmark, with the effect that an end-user or operator might search for one or more of those key words, or edit those key words with the effect of remarking upon the bookmark (for one example, not intended to be limiting in any way, if the bookmark is associated with a time in the media stream at which a great white shark attacks a person, the words “SHARK ATTACK” might be associated with the bookmark, with the effect that an end-user or operator might search for one or more of those words with the effect of finding the shark attack scene).

In one embodiment, at least some of the following information is included in the information the method 200 receives in this step:

-   -   A type of entry location (further described below with regard to         the next step), such as for example “first play,” “top menu,”         “title menu,” “title menu,” “end of title,” and the like.     -   A title number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99. In         one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations of         type “title menu” or “end of title.”     -   A start time in frames, seconds, or other measurement from the         beginning of the title. In one embodiment, this value is used         only for entry locations of type “title menu.”     -   A VTS number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99. In         one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations of         type “title menu.”     -   A VTS title number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99.         In one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations         of type “title menu.”

At a step 212, the method 200 determines an “entry location” into a media stream at which presentation devices are capable of beginning presentation without substantial chance that state information for the presentation device would be inaccurate or incomplete. After reading this application, those skilled in the art of presentation of media streams, including for example media streams recorded on DVD media, would recognize that loading a complete image of the state of an arbitrary presentation device might be unwieldy, and further might have the effect of providing inaccurate or incomplete information to that presentation device if the exact presentation device and its configuration were not known ahead of time. Accordingly, in one embodiment, to perform this step, the method 200 searches for an entry location at or near (such as close before or close after) the specified location of the bookmark.

In one embodiment, the method 200 recognizes at least some of the following types of entry location:

-   -   A “first play” type of entry location, such as for example what         the presentation device will start with when first noting the         presence of the digital content. A “first play” type of entry         location is known for DVD players capable of presenting digital         content maintained on DVD.     -   A “top menu” type of entry location, such as for example a root         menu in a tree of menus accessible by the presentation device         and maintained on the digital content representing the media         stream.     -   A “title menu” type of entry location, such as for example an         entry location indicating a start of a selected title maintained         on the digital content representing the media stream.     -   A “title” type of entry location, such as for example an entry         location indicating a time T after the start of the selected         title maintained on the digital content representing the media         stream.     -   An “end of title” type of entry location, such as for example an         entry location indicating the end of a selected title maintained         on the digital content representing the media stream.

For one example, not intended to be limiting in any way, the entry location might be one such as defined by the DVD specification, also described in J. TAYLOR, DVD DEMYSTIFIED (2^(nd) ed., 2001) (McGraw-Hill: New York) (ISBN 0-07-135026-8). Further information is also available in a DVD accompanying that book, and sold therewith. For DVD, an entry location is a defined location in the DVD digital content representing a media stream where the presentation device can begin execution (including parsing of the digital content representing the media stream, and presentation of that media stream). For each type of DVD entry location, there is substantially dictated how each of the virtual machine registers are initialized, while configuration registers for the presentation device are substantially untouched. This has the effect that each entry location is associated with a specific state of the presentation device, which might be further parameterized by configuration settings for that presentation device. After reading this application, those skilled in the art of presentation of media streams, including for example media streams recorded on DVD media, would recognize that the set of all possible states for presentation devices that might be specified by entry locations is a relatively small subset of the set of all possible states for presentation devices (specified by entry locations or not).

At a step 213, the method 200 determines a substantially complete description of a desired state of the presentation device, in response to the information received in the step 211 and the entry location determined in the step 212. In one embodiment, this substantially complete description might include either (a) a substantially complete description of the actual desired state of the presentation device, including configuration information substantially matching the actual presentation device, or (b) a substantially complete description of the entry location, including any further changes in state involved in bringing the presentation device from that entry location to its desired state, and any configuration information involved in bringing the presentation device to its desired state.

At a step 214, the method 200 associates the information it determined with the selected bookmark. In one embodiment, the method 200 records that information in association with the selected bookmark, such as for example in a database of such bookmarks, and maintains that information for later access by an end-user, operator, or the presentation device.

At a flow point 21 oB, the method 200 has created a bookmark, and is ready to either do so again, or to do something else.

Beginning Presentation from a Bookmark

At a flow point 220A, the method 200 is ready to begin presentation from a designated bookmark.

At a step 221, the method 200 retrieves information associated with the designated bookmark. In one embodiment, that information is the information described with regard to the steps in the section beginning at the flow point 210A, “Creating Bookmarks.”

At a step 222, the method 200 changes the state of the presentation device in accordance with the information associated with the designated bookmark. As part of this step, for example, not intended to be limiting in any way, if the designated bookmark indicates a selected entry location in the digital content representing the media stream, the method 200 changes the state of the presentation device to substantially equal information associated with that selected entry location. As part of this step, for example, not intended to be limiting in any way, if the designated bookmark indicates any specified configuration information for the presentation device, the method 200 changes the state of the presentation device to substantially equal that configuration information associated with the designated bookmark.

This step has the effect that the presentation device is changed to a state from which it can begin presentation from the designated bookmark, substantially as if the presentation device has reached that designated bookmark in the ordinary course of parsing the digital content associated with the media stream and presenting that media stream.

At a step 223, the method 200 causes the presentation device to be started with the state set in the previous step, with the effect described in the previous state, that the presentation device can begin presentation from the designated bookmark.

At a flow point 22 oB, the method 200 has begun presentation from a designated bookmark, and is ready to either do so again, or to do something else.

Creating Watchpoints

At a flow point 230A, the method is ready to create a watchpoint.

At a step 231, similar to the step 211, the method 200 receives information (such as from an end-user or an operator) specifying the nature of the watchpoint, including a set of (a) triggering information, including a designated state information for the presentation device with which method can compare with the actual state information of the presentation device, and (b) consequent actions, including a designated set of actions for the method 200 to take in response to when the watchpoint is triggered.

In one embodiment, the information specifying the triggering information for the watchpoint includes a set of register values specifying a class of states in which the presentation device might be found. This class of states includes both “presentation state,” indicating a state of the presentation of the media stream to an end-user, and “virtual machine state,” indicating a state of the virtual machine model of parsing the digital content representing the media stream. These states are herein called a “class of states,” as there might be more than one state for the presentation device for which the method 200 will consider that the state of the presentation device matches the triggering information for the watchpoint.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that bookmarks are capable of being treated as very general labels or references to presentation locations or presentation state. Bookmarks might be the target of a transfer of control or change in presentation state, might be stored independently of the media stream they reference, and might be subject to variable interpretation in response to known parameters. For example, a bookmark might point to “the opening scene of Shrek,” or a bookmark might point to “the opening scene of the current movie,” where “the current movie” is a parameter that might vary in response to what movie is actually being presented at the time.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that watchpoints are capable of being treated as having very general conditional watchpoint triggers and very general conditional watchpoint actions. As noted above, watchpoints have substantial if-then functionality, possibly having conditional watchpoint triggers, conditional watchpoint actions, or both. For a first example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might include a watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action of the class (user input=X)

(go to bookmark Y). For a second example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might include watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action of the class (presentation state within class X)

(do arbitrary action Y). For a third example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might include watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action of the class (presentation state within class X1) & (user input=X2)

(go to bookmark Y1, and also do arbitrary action Y2).

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would also recognize that bookmarks and watchpoints are very generally capable of being created, edited, or removed dynamically. All such concepts are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and would be workable using the present disclosure without undue experimentation or further invention.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that another distinction can be made between blocking techniques (for example, waiting at each change of presentation state or user inputs to review the new class of presentation state or user inputs, with the effect of determining if a watchpoint has been triggered) and polling techniques (for example, periodically, or in response to an interrupt, reviewing the presentation state or user inputs to review the new class of presentation state or user inputs, with the effect of determining if a watchpoint has been triggered). All such concepts are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and would be workable using the present disclosure without undue experimentation or further invention.

In one embodiment, at least some of the triggering information includes either a class of virtual machine states (such as for example, a set of values that must be satisfied by the virtual machine) or a class of presentation states (such as for example, a set of values that must be satisfied by the virtual machine). For one example, not intended to be limiting in any way, the triggering information might specify one or more of the following possible triggers:

-   -   Presentation information, such as (a) transliterations or         transcriptions of sound forming a part of the presentation or         media stream, (b) video elements formatting a part of the         presentation or media stream, or (c) metadata included in data         streams associated with the presentation or media stream. For         example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a scene         including people shouting the word “shark!” or a scene including         a picture of a shark, or a set of narrative metadata indicating         the species of sharks shown in the presentation or media stream,         could trigger a watchpoint, either each alone or in some         combination or conjunction.     -   Text information, such as (a) a title number of the portion of         the media stream being presented (including the possibility of         starting or ending a selected title or title number), (b) text         information appearing in closed caption metadata or subtitle         metadata. For one example, not intended to be limiting in any         way, text information might include a subtitle using the word         “shark,” with the effect that sources of text information could         trigger a watchpoint, either each alone or in some combination         or conjunction.     -   Timing information, such as (a) when a selected amount of time         has elapsed from the beginning of presentation, or from the most         recent bookmark, or (b) when a selected number of frames have         elapsed from the beginning of presentation, or from the most         recent bookmark, or (c) some combination or conjunction thereof.     -   User-entry information, such as (a) when an end-user selects a         designated button or key on a console, or (b) if the end-user is         detected to be absent or present near the presentation device,         or (c) some combination or conjunction thereof.

At a flow point 23 oB, the method has created a watchpoint, and is ready to either do so again, or to do something else.

Triggering Behavior at a Watchpoint

At a flow point 240A, the method 200 is ready to trigger selected behavior at a designated watchpoint.

At a step 241, performed during presentation of the media stream, the method 200 determines if any of the triggering information, either alone or in combination, triggers the watchpoint. In one embodiment, the watchpoint might include Boolean or other logical aggregates of triggering information. For a first example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might be triggered by having the word “shark!” appear in both the text information and in the presentation information (such as shouted by an actor). For a second example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might be triggered by having at least two actors from a selected set (such as for example the set {Marylin Monroe, Kim Novak, Geena Davis}) appear on screen concurrently.

At a step 242, the method 200 marks the watchpoint as being triggered, and retrieves information relating to consequent actions, including (as described above) a designated set of actions for the method 200 to take in response to when the watchpoint is triggered.

In one embodiment, at least some of the consequent actions might include altering some of the virtual machine states or the presentation states (such as for example altering the order or locus of presentation), or might include actions relating to the home theatre system itself (such as for example altering the house lights, changing the volume, or shutting the system down).

In one embodiment, the consequent actions of the watchpoint might themselves be conditional on a class of presentation states or virtual machine states of the presentation device 120, with the effect that the watchpoint both (a) conditionally triggers, and (b) conditionally selects consequent actions, in response to (possibly different) aspects of the presentation states or virtual machine states of the presentation device 120.

For some examples, not intended to be limiting in any way, the consequent actions of the watchpoint might be conditional on one or more of the following sets of information:

-   -   The watchpoint actions might be conditional on state information         about the presentation of the media stream, such as for example         how far into the media stream the presentation has gotten so         far, or (for a possibly looping media stream) for how long the         presentation has gone on so far, or on which type of         presentation device 120 or presentation devices 120 the media         stream is being presented on, or how many thereof.     -   The watchpoint actions might be conditional on information input         from the user, such as for example a most recent input from the         user, an expressed or implicit preference described by the user,         a nature of a recent keyword search, metadata search, or video         search requested by the user. In some embodiments, the         consequent actions of the watchpoint might include blocking for         user input, and be conditional on the absence or presence         thereof, and if present, on the nature of that user input, such         as for example a choice made by the user, either explicitly,         implicitly, or by default.     -   The watchpoint triggers might include a code for a class of         triggeres, or the watchpoint actions might include a code for a         class of actions, where either such class is responsive to a         parameter. For a first example, a watchpoint action might be of         the class (go to bookmark B[n]), where [n] is a value responsive         to a user input, or a value computed in response to a set of         virtual registers. For a second example, a watchpoint trigger         might be of the class (now presenting the beginning of this         movie), where the value of “this movie” is responsive to the         specific media stream being presented at that time. Some         exemplary watchpoint trigger classes might include: “now         presenting the credits for this movie,” or “now presenting the         end of this movie.”

In one embodiment, the consequent actions of the watchpoint, in combination or conjunction with features of bookmarks, can be combined to enable the following features, among others. After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognize that further concepts and extensions consistent with these features would be workable, that such further concepts and extensions are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and that such further concepts and extensions would not require undue experimentation or further invention.

-   -   1. A bookmark can be combined with a watchpoint, with the         consequent action of the watchpoint set to return to the locus         of presentation before the bookmark was invoked, with the effect         that the bookmark-watchpoint section of the media stream can be         selected out as an independent element (herein sometimes         referred to as a “film clip”) for presentation by the         presentation device. This feature could be used even if the         bookmark and the watchpoint were not located within the same         media stream, or even within the same digital content         representing a media stream.     -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: (a) After a media stream has already been created and         distributed to the public, that first media stream is capable of         having a user, or other editor or secondary author, include a         pointer to a film clip in a second media stream, with the effect         that the media stream can include presentation of the film clip         as a subroutine within its own presentation, without involving         including a copy of that film clip in the first media         stream. (b) After a media stream has already been created and         distributed to the public, that first media stream is capable of         having a user, or other editor or secondary author, include a         set of pointers to more than one such film clip, with the effect         that the first media stream provides an encyclopedia of such         film clips, again without involving including copies of those         film clips in the first media stream. (c) After a media stream         has already been created and distributed to the public, that         first media stream is capable of having a user, or other editor         or secondary author, include a set of commentary on a set of         film clips, each element of commentary being associated with         that actual film clip, against without involving including         copies of those film clips in the first media stream.     -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: (a) An end-user interface might provide for saving selected         scenes from movies and requesting playback of those scenes,         either in response to user command, pointers to those scenes, or         metadata describing those scenes. (b) An end-user interface         might provide for pausing, restarting, or repeating presentation         of all or part of a set of media streams, even for digital         content or physical media for which such functions were not         originally supported. (c) An end-user interface might provide         for direct access to feature presentations within recorded         digital media, without any substantial requirement for         navigating via pre-recorded menus or pre-recorded advertising,         announcements, or warnings. (d) An end-user interface might         provide for direct access to supplements to such feature         presentations, or trailers associated with such feature         presentations, within recorded digital media, without any         substantial requirement for navigating via pre-recorded menus or         pre-recorded advertising, announcements, or warnings. (e) An         end-user interface might provide for substantially seamless or         smooth presentation of media streams represented by digital         content recorded on multiple volumes (or other multiple         elements) of digital media, such as for example movies recorded         on more than one DVD, without any substantial requirement for         the user to intervene at a switching point between those         multiple volumes.     -   2. A bookmark can be combined with a watchpoint, with consequent         action of the watchpoint set to return to bookmark, with the         effect that the bookmark-watchpoint section of the media stream         can be selected out as an independent film clip to be repeated,         either (a) for a selected duration, (b) for a selected number of         repeats, (c) until some user action is taken, or (d) some other         conditional ending condition.     -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: (a) A first media stream intended to simulate an arcade         game can include a pointer to a repeating film clip of that         arcade game in “attract mode.” (b) An arcade game could be made         interactive, with end-user actions or commands being         incorporated into conditional triggers for watchpoints, with the         effect that the end-user could be presented with a substantially         continuous media stream, with that substantially continuous         media stream being in fact dynamically generated in response to         end-user actions or commands. (c) A media stream of any kind,         such as for example an arcade game or a computer game, an         interactive movie, or other media stream, could include a media         stream by which a selected process determines presentation of         such selected film clips. The selected process could be         responsive to (i) a pseudorandom or random effect, (ii)         demographic or other metadata about the end-user, (iii) known         preferences of the end-user, whether stated explicitly or         inferred from past end-user choices, or (iv) collaborative         filtering or similar known techniques. This could have the         effect of providing the capability of a film clip “screen saver”         or a variant of the MTV channel. (d) A media stream of any kind,         such as for example an arcade game or a computer game or, an         interactive movie, or other media stream, could include a media         stream using individual film clips, either from pre-existing DVD         media or newly-created digital content. For example, a computer         game might be interactive, or might respond to external         information, such as for example television news feeds.     -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: (a) A first media stream intended to simulate a movie can         include a pointer to a repeating film clip of a trailer or a         sequence of key scenes from that movie, again without involving         including a copy of that film clip in the first media         stream. (b) A media stream associated with a set of movies can         contain a pointer for at least some of those movies to a         repeating film clip for presentation with a user interface for         selecting one or more of those movies for presentation, again         without involving including a copy of that film clip in the         first media stream.     -   For a third set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: (a) A first media stream intended to represent a         demonstration or training film can include a pointer to a         repeating film clip of an element to be demonstrated or         trained. (b) One specific example of this includes a first media         stream intended to represent a demonstration of setting up a         home movie theatre as described in embodiments described herein         and in the incorporated disclosures. (c) A demonstration or         training film could be interactive, with user commands being         incorporated into conditional triggers for the watchpoints, with         the effect that the end-user could be presented with a set of         choices, either to demonstrate or simulate a “real life”         circumstance, or to present a video formatted interactive quiz.     -   3. A watchpoint could be combined with performing operations         external to presentation in response to the media stream, such         as for example turning up room lights at the start of movie         credits, diminishing sound volume during commercial breaks, or         pausing presentation in response to an incoming telephone call.     -   Generally, a bookmark or a watchpoint could be combined with         generalized detection of state for any manner of device whose         state is available to the presentation controller 130, and could         be combined with generalized alteration or editing of state for         any manner of device whose state can be changed (or requested to         be changed, such as by request to a server device controlling         that device) by the presentation controller 130.     -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: Devices whose state could trigger a watchpoint might         include telephone calls (beginning, ending, lasting beyond a         selected time, or having more than a selected volume), internet         connections (beginning or ending, such as for example instant         messaging, email, or file transfer), internet state (such as for         example changes to selected monitored web sites or RSS feeds),         home appliance detectors, such as for example doorbells, motion         detectors, intrusion alarms, heat sensors, door or window         sensors, and power usage detectors), vehicle status detectors         for presentation devices 120 installed on vehicles (such as         airplanes, automobiles, buses, ships or trucks) including the         possibility of controllers for those vehicles, GPS detectors for         location or velocity of those vehicles, and the like. In the         case of vehicles, devices whose state could trigger a watchpoint         might include sensors relating to the vehicle, such as for         example incoming audio or video sensors, or incoming radio         signals on selected frequencies (such as for example an aircraft         control tower or an emergency signaling frequency).     -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any         way: Devices whose state could be altered or edited by the         presentation controller 130 might include telephone calls (such         as for example answering or initiating an automated telephone         call in response to a selected change in state, such as for         example automatically calling a parent if an X-rated movie is         selected for presentation, or if a movie is selected for         presentation after 11:30 pm), internet connections (such as for         example sending an FTP log of all movies selected for         presentation, and how far into the movie the presentation         proceeded, possibly after requesting a credit card number from         the end-user), presentation device controls (such as for example         controlling the volume of the presentation device 120, or even         blanking the screen or turning off the presentation device 120         in response to a triggering event), home appliance controls         (such as for example turning up the house lights and turning on         a radio station at low volume, in response to the end of a         movie), vehicle controls (such as for example presenting an         airline safety video to passengers in response to an airplane         reaching a selected altitude, or switching DVD players from         region 1 to region 2 in response to a GPS detector, or switching         presentation options from the English language to the French         language in response to a selected location within the English         Channel.

At a step 243, the method 200 performs the consequent actions, including (as described above) a designated set of actions for the method 200 to take in response to when the watchpoint is triggered. As described above, the consequent actions might include transfer of a locus of presentation to a selected bookmark.

At a flow point 24 oB, the method 200 has triggered selected behavior at a designated watchpoint, and is ready to either do so again, or to do something else.

TECHNICAL APPENDIX

A Technical Appendix is submitted with this application and hereby made a part of this application. The Technical Appendix, and all references cited therein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

At least the following documents are part of the technical appendix:

-   -   “Automatic Masking” (Revision 5, 2003 Aug. 7).     -   “DVD Bookmarks” (Revision 4, 2003 May 11).

Alternative Embodiments

Although preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept, scope, and spirit of the invention. These variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

-   -   The invention is not restricted to movies, but is also         applicable to other media streams, such as for example animation         or sound, as well as to still media, such as for example         pictures or illustrations, and to databases and other         collections of information.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, after perusal of this application, that these alternative embodiments are illustrative and in no way limiting. 

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving a media stream by a first recipient; accepting input by the first recipient to create a bookmark; sending the bookmark to a second recipient; dynamically selecting the bookmark at the second recipient; and presenting the media stream beginning at a point designated by the bookmark, wherein the method is performed by at least one processor.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, including at least a second such bookmark, whereby there is a plurality of bookmarks each capable of being dynamically selected; and wherein a first set of those plurality of bookmarks is associated with a first designating identifier, and wherein and a second set of those plurality of bookmarks is associated with a second designating identifier.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising searching among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier for selected text.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising: selecting among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier; and presenting at least a portion of the media stream in response to a bookmark found in response to those steps of searching.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising: selecting among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier; and presenting a set of portions of the media stream in response to a set of bookmarks found in response to those steps of searching, whereby substantially all portions of the media stream designated by bookmarks associated with a selected designating identifier are presented in response to those steps of selecting.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first designating identifier includes information about the first set.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the creating the bookmark further comprises the bookmark being not pre-selected by a creator or distributor of the media stream.
 8. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed, cause: receiving a media stream by a first recipient; accepting input by the first recipient to create a bookmark; sending the bookmark to a second recipient; dynamically selecting the bookmark at the second recipient; and presenting the media stream beginning at a point designated by the bookmark.
 9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, including at least a second such bookmark, whereby there is a plurality of bookmarks each capable of being dynamically selected; and wherein a first set of those plurality of bookmarks is associated with a first designating identifier, and wherein and a second set of those plurality of bookmarks is associated with a second designating identifier.
 10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further including instructions which when executed, cause searching among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier for selected text.
 11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further including instructions which when executed, cause: selecting among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier; and presenting at least a portion of the media stream in response to a bookmark found in response to those steps of searching.
 12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further including instructions which when executed, cause: selecting among the first designating identifier and the second designating identifier; and presenting a set of portions of the media stream in response to a set of bookmarks found in response to those steps of searching, whereby substantially all portions of the media stream designated by bookmarks associated with a selected designating identifier are presented in response to those steps of selecting.
 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first designating identifier includes information about the first set.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions for creating the bookmark further comprise the bookmark being not pre-selected by a creator or distributor of the media stream. 